Surviving Entry-Level Jobs

Why You Need To Break Out Of Entry-Level Jobs

As was previously established, I’m 30 and have had real jobs before. But it’s been 11 years since I got my BFA, and I still can’t help but chronically accept offers designed for people graduating in the spring. A few years back, when my job writing for TV came to an end and a lateral move proved elusive, I angled my resume toward advertising. Lacking direct experience in the field, I didn’t mind taking an internship, figuring that I’d either lock into a staff position quickly or I’d just sneak out before anyone learned my name.

People learned my name well enough and in a few short months I had full dental. I earned a new salary and had a title to match, but the one thing that didn’t change was that I was always looked at as the intern. This willingness to take any job haunted me all the way to my performance review, where it was thrown back at me in a sort of “if you’re so good, why did you start as an intern” analysis of my abilities. In this instance, I found that the working-from-the-ground-up approach provided little grip on the corporate ladder, and that because of where I started, my ascent at that company was going to be limited.

While there’s the temptation to take every offer, even the best-intentioned internships can limit you. Turning down work is a privilege, but it just might be one that should be evoked. I don’t believe in “fake it till you make it,” but after going through this process more than once, I’ve realized you have to at least give the impression that you’re somewhat accomplished. The alternative is to keep taking these low-level day jobs that are a lot like sitting in an illegally parked Honda Odyssey. It’s comfortable, but gets you nowhere.